An anonymous commenter on LJ has requested three arias: this one, "Poveri Fiori" from Cilea's Adriana Lecouvreur and Amelia's aria in the graveyard from Un Ballo in Maschera. Here is "Pace, pace, mio Dio!" from Verdi's opera La Forza del Destino; the others will follow at some point.
Despairing, Leonora has retired to a life of prayer in a remote place. She prays to God for peace but confesses that her soul is still troubled by the memory of her love.
Despairing, Leonora has retired to a life of prayer in a remote place. She prays to God for peace but confesses that her soul is still troubled by the memory of her love.
Pace, pace, mio Dio! | Peace, peace, my God! |
Cruda sventura m'astringe, ahimè, a languir; | Cruel misfortune, alas, forces me to languish; |
come il di primo da tant'anni dura | my suffering has lasted for so many years, |
profondo il mio soffrir. | deep as on the first day. |
Pace, pace, mio Dio! | Peace, peace, my God! |
L'amai, gli è ver! Ma di beltà e valore | I loved him, it's true! But God adorned him so much |
cotanto Iddio l'ornò, | with beauty and courage, |
che l'amo ancor, nè togliermi dal core | that I love him still, nor will I be able to remove |
l'immagin sua saprò. | his image from my heart. |
Fatalità! Fatalità! Fatalità! | Fate! Fate! Fate! |
Un delitto disgiunti n'ha quaggiù! | A crime has separated us in this world! |
Alvaro, io t'amo, e su nel cielo è scritto: | Alvaro, I love you, and it is written above in heaven: |
non ti vedrò mai più! | I will never see you again! |
Oh Dio, Dio, fa ch'io muoia; | O God, God, make me die; |
ché la calma può darmi morte sol. | since only death can give me calm. |
Invan la pace qui sperò quest'alma | In vain my soul hoped for peace here, |
in preda a tanto duol. | while prey to such grief. |
Misero pane . . . a prolungarmi vieni | Wretched bread . . . come prolong |
la sconsolata vita . . . Ma chi giunge? | my comfortless life . . . But who is approaching? |
Chi profanare ardisce il sacro loco? | Who dares to profane the sacred place? |
Maledizione! Maledizione! Maledizione! | A curse be upon them! |